Connecticut western news., 1887-03-23

he should demand it. Now, child, you know what a trouble has been weighing upon me, for knew that it would be impossible for me 10 raise the sum necessary, and that we must leave the dear old home that we had loved so we'll. And now, this very morning. Mir. Burton came and told mo that a kind iliend, hearing of the intended fore closure, has paid the amount in full"
 "Who is 1t that has helped you, motherg'
 "That's the strangcst part of it Lily. Mir. Burton said he had strictly prom iscd not to tell me the name of my bcne- factor, and as to who it can be have no idea"
 But though she did not say so, Lily had; and when later, in her usual i'm pulsive way, sho told John Hollaway how sorry she was that she had been so rude to him, and then asked him frankly whether he was not tho kind friend who had come so opportunely to her mothers relief, his manner confirmed her suspi- cions.
 It is said that gratitude is neighbor to love-" and whether that be true or not, it is certain that from that time the manly young farmer was often in Lily's thoughts, while Richard Blake was just as steadily losing ground. But John, of course, did not know it. He was not one to wear his heart upon his sleeve, and at length, after hard struggle, had decld - ed to abandon his hopeless suit and leave the field to that rival who evident ly was the favored one. Lily appeared to notice the difference; but, woman like, she did not appear to care, and so the months went much the same, until at length the crisis came.
 The village in which our heroine lived was just on the shores of little bay, and many were the pleasure parties that enjoyed a trip over its limpid waters.
 One afternoon, Richard Blake, obtain ing Mrs. Lawrence's consent, invited Lily to take sail.
 When they reached the beach, who should be waiting in readiness to manage the boat but John Hollaway.
 Halo, Hollaway, are you turning into boatman?" exclaimed Blake, in as- tonishment.
 Lifting his cap to Lily, John answered, ''Not exactly; but Joe came to me in great distress, saying he did not feel we'll enough to go out, but had promised not to disappoint you, and knowing could manage boat, he asked me to take his place. Joe has done me many good turn, and so I could not refuse him." he added, wrongfully Interpreting the little flush that had risen in Lily's face as she listened; "and he said, too, that it was your sister who was to be your companion. Else I should not have come; would not for the world be 2 mar-sport."
 | The bitterness in his tone touched { like chord in Lily's heart. For some little time back she had been slowly bu surely learning lesson, the difference between real worth and merc glitter; ano now her heart sank as she saw, o thought she saw, how completely he conduct had driven all affection toward her from Johns mind, and thet she hae foolishly thrown away her own happi- ness.
 "Wcll, Hollaway, Pm sure I'm mucl obliged. It's very kind of you," wa Blake's reply.
 And the two young men soon had th little craft in readiness for it's fai freight.
 Blake had seen Johns liking for Lily but his vanity had not been alarmed; h knew by experience the power of hi dark eyes, and Lily Lawrence was lik any other young lady if she were tel times prettier. So he reasoned.
 They foated lightly over the blu water, anchoriug after while under bluff, and dropping their lines to fish Lily chatted gaily in her .wn fasci hating way, and never had she seeme more lovely in Richard B,akc's eyes while poor John, who had thought C late that he had driven her image fror his mind, felt the old charm creepin over him again stronger than ever be fore; but he hid his pain manfully an kept his part in the lively conversation
 Time crept on, and just as they decide on returning, to their sudden disma the heavens suddenly clouded over, an peel of thunder suddenly brougt
 them to their feet in alarm. Squal
 were not common upon the bay, but or
 was evidently now upon them, and Joh
 saw the great danger. A moment, an
 they were dashing at mad rate ov, . the waves, while overhead the awf'
 darkness gathered more ominously a the while, and every now and then vivi , f,shes of flame seemed to envelope thel , on all sides. Suddenly there was binding glare, then terrific crash, an half the mast dropped over the bow while the sails were dragging in tl 5 seething waters. For an instant Jot r was almost stunned; then his fir thought was Lily. Where was she9 I second more and he caught the glea
 of yellow ourls in the cruel waves amor l the tattered sails; the ropes had twiste
 about her light figure and dragged h : over the bow.
 = He sprang to Blake's side. e "If she is to be yours, it is you WI
 ought to save her. Quick! or it will